Englewood student count shows slight increase

Englewood School District records show an increase in students for first time in about a decade.

The official count shows Englewood has 2,938 students, not counting those in preschool, which is 21 students more than were in classes on Oct. 1, 2011.

“We are obviously pleased with the student count and even this small increase in enrollment,” said Brian Ewert, school superintendent. “The increase was generally over all levels. However, we did see an increase in kindergarten enrollment and had to add at least one additional kindergarten class at Bishop Elementary School.”

Englewood first enrollment decline was reported in 1996 when there were 4,520 students in class, 64 fewer than the year before.

While enrollment declined most years, the student count was up in 1997 and again in 2000. However, the constant decline started in 2001 when there were 4,341 students in Englewood schools. There were drops of 100 or more students for the next five years, with the biggest decline coming in 2006, when there were 3,413 students enrolled, 233 fewer than the year before.

“I would like to think the community has taken a closer look at our schools before moving their children to other districts,” Ewert said. “There is a lot going on in our district and I think that has generated a lot of positive enthusiasm in our community.”

He pointed to the $58 million project under way. He said construction has begun on a $40 million project to create a new, state-of-the-art seventh- through 12th-grade campus on the Englewood High School site. At the same time, a $16 million project is under way to transform Englewood Middle School into a new campus for Colorado's Finest Alternative High School.

He added that there has been stability in the school administration, plus the school board is providing positive leadership that has inspired community confidence.

“Another plus is we have seen growth in student achievement,” the superintendent said. “We are not where we need to be but we are making progress.”